DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20590, 30 August 1938, Page 3

DISCHARGED SOLDIERS

SETTLERS’ PROBLEMS DISCUSSION AT MORRINSVILLE PARENT BODY SUPPORTED (Special to Times) MORRINSVILLE, Monday. Support for the new policy of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association relating- to discharged soldier settlers was accorded at a special general meeting of the Morrinsville District Returned Soldiers’ Association, which has nearly 200 members. The position or soldier settlers Is a matter or great interest to the Morrinsville district, which ineiudes the Kereone settlement, established in 1010. and the Mangaleparu settlement, established In 1010, on which nearly a hundred discharged soldiers were settled. A report on the land policy as adopted at the rerent. Dominion conference or the association in Wellington, was given by Mr J. w. Thompson, the Morrinsville delegate to the conference. The following resolution was approved by the meeting and will he sent to Dominion headquarters: •‘This meeting heartily approves the action of the New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association in formulating a comprehensive, returned soldiers’ land policy for submission to the Government; and fully endorses the policy adopted at the annual general meeting of the Dominion Council, and -pledges its support to the Association and the Government in any endeavour to put this policy into effect.” A further resolution suggested that in the event or the death of a discharged soldier settler his widow and/or children should be classified in all respects as though they were soldier settlers. The association’s land policy aims at assisting the 30 per cent or soldier settlers whom it is estimated are in need of help because their annual charges are too heavy, or need pensions allowances and subsidised labour, or are on uneconomic rarms. The other 70 per cent of soldier settlers have made good and can be considered as being ordinary settlers who do not require any further assistance. Past Secretary’s Services The president, Mr E. Hitchman, made reference to the valued service rendered to | members and to ex-servicemen generally, | by Mr R. L. Scott, who was secretary of : tlie branch from ks inception seven years ! ago until the annual meeting earlier in this year. As a mark of appreciation the j association had conferred on Mr Scott the i special certificate awarded only to those 1 who have performed specially meritorious : service to the association. Mr Hitchman • presented the framed certificate to Mr Scott, who was accorded cheers and , musical honours. Mr Scott was also a j recipient of the Coronation medal last year as a further indication of public appreciation or bis efforts on behalf or comrades in need of assistance. The association certificate is a much-prized award, as very few have been issued. It is understood that this is the first certificate received by a member of the Returned Soldiers’ Association in the Waikato. Dredging Return The Mataki Junction return for the week ended August 25 was 80 ounces j uf cmelted gold for 133 hours and j 23,000 yards dredged, states a Mur- j .*bisou message.